With the first sight of wildflowers, I always feel the hiking season has truly begun.
Bleeding heart, trillium and other flowers are already blooming on many low elevation trails.
If you are feeling the pull of the outdoors, here are some suggestions for flower-rich hikes. Some you can hike right now, while others are better later in the season.
For questions about conditions, call the Darrington Ranger District at 360-436-1155 on weekdays or the Verlot Public Service Center at 360-691-7791 on weekends. These trails require a NW Forest Pass for parking.
Boulder River
Boulder River is an easy river ramble. At about a mile in, there’s an impressive waterfall. Gary Paull, wilderness and trails coordinator for the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, says it’s a good hike to see yellow violet, trillium and bleeding heart. You can hike for about 8 miles roundtrip, but you can also turn around at any point. The trail rolls gently, with about 700 feet of elevation gain if you go the whole distance.
To get there: Follow Highway 530 east from Arlington. Just after milepost 41, turn right on French Creek Road/Forest Road 2010 and drive 4 miles to the trailhead.
Suiattle River Trail
This is another easy trail that’s accessible to all ages and fitness levels. Paull says this trail is a great spot to see Calypso orchids, which are blooming now. There are also some side trails, which gain more elevation for those who would like to work harder. One of those is the lookout at Green Mountain, which is still under snow, but will be a popular hike this summer with plenty of flowers to admire.
To get there: From Darrington, head north on Highway 530. Turn right on the Suiattle River Road. Drive to the end of the road.
N. Fork Sauk River trail
Hike this trail for plenty of skunk cabbages, a pretty plant with an ugly name. You can hike up to 11 miles roundtrip on this trail. The trail rolls, but is mostly on a gentle grade.
To get there: From Darrington, follow the Mountain Loop Highway south. After 16 miles, you’ll reach Forest Road 49. Turn left (east) and follow it just over 6 miles to the signed trailhead.
Big Four Ice Caves trail
Anissa Smith, a Forest Service field ranger who frequently works at Big Four, recommends this trail for an easy hike with lots of flowers. The trail has a variety of flowers that bloom throughout the season. She also stresses that the ice caves may be alluring, but they’re dangerous, and asks visitors to stay on the trail. The trail is about 2 miles roundtrip with about 200 feet of gain.
To get there: From Granite Falls, follow the Mountain Loop Highway toward Verlot. There are two parking areas for Big Four, about 15 miles past the Verlot ranger station.
Beaver Lake
Beaver Lake is another easy trail you can hike right now. With the exception of a small washout, which is easily navigable if you go slow, the trail is kid friendly. Smith recommends this trail and says it features many flowers, including trillium, bleeding hearts and yellow violets.
To get there: Head south on the Mountain Loop Highway from Darrington. The trailhead is about 9 miles ahead, on the right just after you cross the Sauk River.
Johnson Ridge trail
This trail won’t open for awhile yet, but when it does it’s worth the trip. When the snow clears, this trail offers a variety of wildflowers and some wide meadows, along with mountaintop views. Even later in the season, you’ll also find huckleberries to eat. The hike is steep in places, but the scenery rewards your efforts. Roundtrip 9 miles, with 2,600 feet of gain.
To get there: Head east on U.S. 2. Just west of milepost 50, turn left (north) on Beckler Road. Drive 6 miles and turn right on Forest Road 6520. Turn right on Forest Road 6526, continue 2.7 miles and turn left at a junction. Follow the road to the trailhead.
West Cady Ridge
This is another trail to save for later in the season. Glacier lilies, tiger lilies, lupine, mountain aster and pearly everlasting all grow along the trail. The trail ends at a junction with the Pacific Crest Trail, which is another good option for views and flowers. You can turn around after the first expansive views at about 4 miles; if you go all the way to the PCT, you’ll cover about 15 miles roundtrip. If you want to take your time, plan a backpack trip, or camp at nearby Beckler River Campground.
To get there: Head east on U.S. 2. Just west of milepost 50, turn left (north) on Beckler Road. Drive 15 miles and turn right on Forest Road 63. The trailhead is just over 4 miles ahead.
Even more hikes
Want more ideas? Check this list for many more wildflower hikes and a couple of wildflower drives.
And if you’d like a slightly longer trip, consider Icicle Ridge in Leavenworth. It’s gorgeous right now with blooming balsamroot and lupine.
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